FCTA approves resettlement of flood victims in Abaji

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved that those affected by the August 2014 flood that ravaged Yaba, a community in Abaji Area Council be resettled immediately.

According to the FCT minister, Bala Mohammed, who dropped the hint, the approval followed a report by a committee that was set up to find out the immediate and remote causes of the floods and proffer solution, and came up with 10 recommendation to forestall an occurrence, which he approved all.

Speaking during the distribution of relief materials exercise that took place in the premises of the Estu Yaba, in the area, the minister, who was represented by Director, FCT Emergency Management Department, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, revealed he recommendation includes the provision of Relief materials, resettlement of affected persons, construction of embankment along the River bank, rehabilitation of the access road leading into Yaba amongst others.

Handing over the relief items to beneficiaries, he commended the Estu of Abaji, Alhaji Abdulahi Adamu, for his exemplary leadership style.

He said it was the timely information gotten from the Chief that enabled the Administration to act promptly, “as my staff and I immediately mobilized to come to site and see firsthand the damage caused by the flood”.

He stressed that the community is lucky to have the Estu, and the Chairman, Abaji Area Council, Honourable Yahaya Gawu as their leaders.

Also he urged the community to reciprocate by cooperating with them to ensure peace and development in the community.

The Director assured the people that the implementation of the other aspects of the recommendation will begin soon.

Reminding the community about the 112 Emergency numbers that is toll free and can be used from any network, he said they not hesitate to make use of the number when the need arises.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, the Chairman, Abaji area council, Alhaji Yahaya Garba Gawu, said he was grateful to God that though farmland and properties were destroyed, no life was lost.

The chairman expressed appreciation to the FCT Administration for taking prompt action to ameliorate the suffering of his people.

He however warned those farming and living along the river path to take advantage of the minister’s magnanimity and meet with the Estu to provide them with an alternative place to farm.

“We do not want to experience food shortage in this community due to destruction of farmlands by flood’, the council chair stressed.

Peoples Daily reports that present at the program were the Zonal Coordinator,FCT Zonal office,NEMA, Mr Ishaya Chonoko and Deputy-Director, Relief & Rehabilitation, Mrs Racheal Alikali.